Schoolyard Soldiers: The Art of Adapting the Art of War
In: Journal of Chinese Military HistorySearch for other papers by Paul van Els in
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Abstract
The Art of War (or Sun Tzu) abounds with practical strategic and tactical advice which, while intended for use in warfare, can be applied to almost any professional or personal crisis or conflict. In recent decades this ancient Chinese military classic has been adapted for a variety of non-military purposes in fields as diverse as trade, law, sports, and love. Intrigued by the text’s seemingly limitless applicability, this article analyzes when, where, why, and how present-day adapters applied the ancient military text to modern non-military issues. The article also reflects on the value of Art of War adaptations, especially vis-à-vis translations, as it highlights the diverse ways in which an age-old Chinese text is made relevant to modern readers worldwide.
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Schoolyard Soldiers: The Art of Adapting the Art of War
In: Journal of Chinese Military HistorySearch for other papers by Paul van Els in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Frank Witkam in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
The Art of War (or Sun Tzu) abounds with practical strategic and tactical advice which, while intended for use in warfare, can be applied to almost any professional or personal crisis or conflict. In recent decades this ancient Chinese military classic has been adapted for a variety of non-military purposes in fields as diverse as trade, law, sports, and love. Intrigued by the text’s seemingly limitless applicability, this article analyzes when, where, why, and how present-day adapters applied the ancient military text to modern non-military issues. The article also reflects on the value of Art of War adaptations, especially vis-à-vis translations, as it highlights the diverse ways in which an age-old Chinese text is made relevant to modern readers worldwide.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 1216 | 497 | 265 |
| Full Text Views | 79 | 9 | 2 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 125 | 20 | 3 |